Back Door Slam: WXPN's March 2008 Artist to Watch

This band has been wowing festival audiences in the past year, showcasing a true blues sound. These natives of the tiny Isle of Man, include Davy Knowles on vocals, lead guitar, mandolin and lap steel, Ross Doyle on drums, and Adam Jones on bass - all three, still in their twenties.

Lead guitarist and vocalist Davy Knowles is being hailed as a prodigy, reminiscent of a young Stevie Ray Vaughan or even Jimi Hendrix. Though young both as a group and in age of its members, critics and fans alike are already suggesting Back Door Slam is poised to join those classic blues-rock masters.

Related Links

Listen to their complete Live Friday Free At Noon Concert on NPR.org/music

Coming from the Isle of Man, Back Door Slam, the three-piece British blues-rock band, present a rough sounding, similar to such good old English blues players as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and John Mayall. Yet, The band gaining popularity by playing in clubs, festivals, as well as opening acts for The Who and Don McLean. Their debut album, Roll Away, was released on June 18, 2007 in the Isle of Man and on July 1 in the U.S. It features Doyle's crisply sizzling licks and gruff, wise, and pained-beyond-his-years vocals as well as his deeply emotional lyrics.